COUNTY TO JOIN NATIONAL CELEBRATION

Coos County will participate in the annual celebration of National
Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23-31.

The celebration honors the memory of DEA Special Agent KiKi Camarena
who was kidnapped, tortured and murdered by drug traffickers in
Mexico. That event produced an outpouring of grief that, over time,
has generated community participation in drug abuse-prevention
activities as a way to honor those working toward illegal drug
eradication and prevention.

The countywide theme of Red Ribbon Week 2006 is "Too Smart to Start."
In Coos County schools, all students will receive Red Ribbons
imprinted with the theme. Students in kindergarten through eighth
grade will be receiving information handbooks and high school
students will be receiving bracelets imprinted with inspirational messages.

Individual schools also will be planning their own activities. Some
will have information at local football games. Others will have
activities at school during the week. New brochures on several
prevention topics will be available at local libraries and schools
including: "Things You Should Know About Alcohol," Tips for
Preventing Drug Abuse," "How Meth Affects Your Brain" and Things You
Should Know About Marijuana."

For further information, those interested can call local school
districts, TOGETHER groups, the Office of Alcohol and Drug Services
or the Commission on Children and Families.